Return roller support



June 16, 1931. 5M|TH RETURN ROLLER SUPPORT Filed June 24, 1.929 2Sheets-Sheet 1 122092030 FEfl/VK ELEM/TH) June 1931. F. E. SMITH RETURNROLLER SUPPORT Filed June 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WNMR Patented June.16, 1931 UNITED STATES FRANK E. SMITH, F SCOTTIlALE, PENNSYLVANIARETURN ROLLER SUPPORT 7 Application filed June 24,

This invention relates to a roller support and, while not limitedthereto,'relates more particularlyto a return roller support for beltcon'veyers, and has for its object the pro- VlSlOIl of a novel rollersupport by whichthe roller can be lowered While in service an amountsuflicient to remove it from contact with the belt, so as to facilitaterepairs or removal of the roller while the belt is in operation. I

In the drawings: 7

v Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of conveyer structure havingthe return. roller of this invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional plan showing the roller mounting.Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the mounting ofthe roller supporting armextensions.

Figure 4 1s a transverse sectional elevation through the conveyerstructure showing the completely assembled return roller mechamsm. I v

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral2 designates thetransversely spaced side channel members ofthe conveyer frame or supportwhich are adapted to support load carrying rollers (not shown) on theirtop flanges and to have return rollers depending therefrom.

In carrylng out the present invention a hanger member 3 is secured toeach of the side channels 2 for a limited movement longitudinallythereof. The hanger members 3 are composed of twoiparts 4 and 5, thepart 4 being shaped to fit over the lower flange of the side channel andthe other part 5 extending along the back of said channel. The parts 4and 5 are connected together by a bolt 6 and a pivot bolt 7 and aresecured tothe channels 2 by a bolt 8 which extends through elongatedslots 9 in the parts 4 and 5 and through an aperture in the web of thechannel.

Arm members 10 are pivotally mounted on each of the pivot bolts 7 andhave their lower ends apertured to form bearings for a transverselyextending shaft 12 which is journaled therein.

A second pair of arms 14 are pivotally con- 1929. Serial no. 373,443.

nected attheir upper ends to the channel members 2 at a point forward ofthe hangers 3'by; a bolt '14: and depend therefrom. A pair of crank-arms15 are mounted on and keyed'to the shaft 12 and have their endspivotally connected to the lower ends of the arms '14 as at 15*. I

. The arms 10 are provided with extension members 16 at their lower endsfor supporting the rollers. The extensions 16 have j aw portions 16 attheir rear end which fit over the. lower end of the arm. The jawportions 16 and the arm are, apertured to receive a vertical pivot 1001017 which permits transverse swinging movement of the extensionsrelative to the arms 10. The lower-jaw 16* extends rearwardly under alug 18 on the arm 10 and the lug 18 and lower aw 16 are ape-rmembers 16and the return roller 21 is journaled therein. It will be understood,however, that if desired the return roller shaft may be fixedly mountedin the extensions 16 and the roller body may carry suitable bearings andbe journaled on the shaft, or any other suitable roller construction maybe used.

The crank-arms 15 have their sleeve portions, through which the shaft 12extends, squared toreceive a suitable crank or other tool by whichtheshaft 12 and crank-arms may be rotated. I

In operation, assuming that the crankarms 15 are in their lowermost ornormal position, and it is desired to lower the return roller21, theshaft 12 will be rotated counter-clockwise so as to swing the crankarms15 upwardly, thus lengthening the distancebetween the shaft 12 and theupper end of the arms 14 twice'the length of the crank contact with theconveyer belt.

' If it is now desired to remove the roller 21 for repairs orreplacement, it is only necessary'to remove the lock-ing'bolt 19 fromone of the extensions 16 and swing said extension outwardly about thepivot 17 ,thereby moving comprising in combination a fixed support,

a pair of transversely spaced arms pivotally connected at one end to anddepending from said support, a shaft journaled in said arms, a secondpair of transversely spaced arms pivotally connected at one end to anddepending from saidsupport, said second pair of arms being spacedrelative to said first pair of arms in a direction parallel with thelongitudinal axis of said fixed support, a pair of crank-arms fixedlymounted on said shaft and r' pivotally connectedto the lowerfree ends ofsaid second pair of arms, and a roller carried by said first pair ofarms.

2. A vertically adjustable roller mounting comprising in combination afixed support, a pair of transversely spaced hanger members adjustablymounted on said support for limited movement longitudinally thereof, apair of arms pivotally connected at one end to and depending from saidhanger members, a shaft journaled in said arms, a second pair oftransversely spaced arms pivotally connected at one end to and dependingfrom said support, said second pair of arms being. spaced relative tosaid first pair of arms in a direction parallel with the longitudinalaxis of said fixed support, a pair of crankarms fixedly mounted on saidshaft and pivotally connected to the lower freeends of said second pairof arms, and a roller carried by said first pair of arms.

3. A vertically adjustable roller mounting comprising in combination afixed support, a pair of transversely spaced arms pivotally connected atone end to and depending from said support, a shaft journaled in saidarms, a second pair of transversely spaced arms pivotally connected atone end to and depending from said support, said second pair of armsbeing spaced relative to said first pair of arms in a direction parallelwit-lithe longitudinal axis of said fixed support, 4 a pair ofcrank-arms fixedly mounted on said shaft and pivotally connected to thelower free ends of said second pair of arms, an extension pivotallyconnected to the. lower end of each of said first pair of arms forhorizontal movement relative thereto, and a roller carried by saidextension members.

4. A vertically adjustable roller mounting comprising in combination a.fixed support,

a pair of transversely spaced hanger members adj ustably mounted on saidsupport for limited movement longitudinally thereof, a pair of armspivotally connected at their upper ends to and depending from saidhanger members and movable in a direction longitudina lly of saidsupport, a shaft journaled in said arms, a second pair of transverselyspaced arms pivotally connected at their upper ends to and dependingfrom said support and movable in a direction longitudinally of saidsupport, said second pair of arms being spaced relative to said firstpair of arms in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis ofsaid'fix'ed support, a. pair of crankarms fixedly mounted on said shaftand pivotally connected to the lower free ends of said second pair ofarms, an extension pivotally connected to the lower end of each of saidfirst pair of arms for horizontal movement relative thereto, and aroller carried by said extension members, said crank-arms being normallymaintained in their downward position being adapted to be moved toupward position by rotation of said shaft to thereby lower said roller adistance-equal to twice the length of said crank-arms.

5. A vertically adjustable roller mounting comprising in combination afixed support, a pair of transversely spaced arms pivotally connected atone end to and depending from said support, a shaft ournaled in saidarms, a second pair of transversely spaced arms ivotally connected atone end to and depending from said support, said second pair of armsbeing spaced relative to said first pair of arms in a direction parallelwith the longitudinal axis of said fixed support, a pair of crank-armsfixedly mounted on said shaft and pivotally connected to the lower freeends of said second pair of arms, an extension pivotally connected tothe lower end of each of said first pair of arms for horizontal movementrelative thereto,- means for locking said extensions against movement,andva roller carried by said extension members. v v

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set myhand. a FRANK E. SMITH.

